Compact sedans are currently among the most popular vehicles in the country. 2015 saw the launch of the Ford Figo Aspire and the Dzire facelift and AMT models. This year, Honda has launched the facelifted Amaze, whcih memeans competition has intensified in the compact sedan space. The segment is currently being ruled by the Maruti Swift Dzire with the rest battling it out for the remanining spots. Does that mean the Maruti Dzire is the best compact sedan on sale? Or are the recently updated Amaze , Figo Aspire, Xcent or Zest better than the segment leader? Find out here, in our 2016 Honda Amaze vs Ford Figo Aspire vs Maruti Swift Dzire vs Hyundai Xcent vs Tata Zest comparison story.

Design

All the cars in this comparison have been derived from existing hatchbacks, so it is really a case of how well they have managed to integrate a boot. In India, the new Figo was first showcased in the concept form as a sedan at the 2014 Auto Expo suggesting that the hatchback and sedan forms were developed simultaneously. A fact that is clearly evident in the design as the Figo Aspire looks like a well-proportioned sedan, something that is missing from the other three. Honda and Tata have also done a very good job of integrating a stubby boot section into the Brio and Bolt‘s body respectively. Honda recently updated the Amaze sedan and the facelift now looks more mature. Derived from the Grand i10, the Xcent gets a larger boot than the rest, but it does not work too well with the overall design. The Maruti Dzire is least appealing of the lot in terms of looks as the short, stubby addition to the back of the Swift looks a bit awkward.

Moving on to the interiors you will find that barring the facelifted Amaze, the other sedans stay true to their hatchback origins. The Amaze gets all new interiors with a new instrument console similar to the Honda Jazz. It also manages to impress when it comes legroom, headroom and boot space, departments where the Maruti Swift Dzire falls short of the competition. The highlight of the Hyundai Xcent’s interior is the cabin layout and quality which feels a class above the rest. The Ford Figo Aspire gets interiors similar to the EcoSport and Fiesta with a very striking looking, in-your-face centre console. Tata’s new design direction has given the Zest very smart interiors with high levels of quality which is very impressive.

[box type=”success” ]The simple design of the Ford Figo Aspire works very well making it one of the better-looking cars of the five. The Maruti Swift Dzire and Hyundai Xcent lag behind in terms of looks.[/box]

Features

The Ford Figo Aspire gets some unique features such as side and curtain airbags in addition to dual front airbags and a phone docking system for the lower spec variants, which utilises the device for music, navigation while it is on charge. The Tata Zest gets a touchscreen audio system, LED daytime running lights, projector headlamps, LED tail lamps, features which are not offered by any other manufacturer. The Hyundai Xcent gets some unique features as well; rear parking camera, cooled glove box, 1GB on board storage and rear AC vents. With the launch of the 2016 model, the Honda Amaze now features automatic climate control and Bluetooth, features which the pre-facelift model missed out on.

The Tata Zest is the only sedan which comes with LED DRLs and Projector headlamps

[box type=”success” ]The Tata Zest and the Ford Figo Aspire lead the way in terms of features, followed closely by the Hyundai Xcent and Maruti Dzire. The Honda Amaze lags behind thanks to a disappointing list of features.[/box]

The Ford Figo Aspire comes with a dual clutch 6-speed automatic transmission option with the range-topping 1.5 litre petrol motor. Honda has added a petrol CVT to the Amaze’s lineup. However, the Tata Zest and the Swift Dzire are the only cars available with a diesel automatic option.

[box type=”success” ]The Ford Figo Aspire gets powerful and fuel-efficient units. It also comes with a range-topping 1.5 litre petrol with a 6-speed dual clutch automatic, a segment first. The Tata Zest and the Swift Dzire are the only diesel automatics on sale. [/box]

Price

Ford Figo Aspire

Petrol

Diesel

Ambiente

INR 5.16 lakhs

INR 6.16 lakhs

Trend

INR 5.89 lakhs

INR 6.89 lakhs

Titanium

INR 6.78 lakhs

INR 7.78 lakhs

Titanuim+

INR 7.33 lakhs

INR 8.33 lakhs

Petrol 1.5 L

Titanium

INR 7.88 lakhs

–

Maruti Swift Dzire

Petrol

Diesel

LXi/LDi

INR 5.19 lakhs

INR 5.99 lakhs

LXi(O)

INR 5.23 lakhs

–

LXi/LDi ABS

INR 5.43 lakhs

INR 6.19 lacs

VXi/VDi

INR 5.98 lakhs

INR 6.95 lakhs

VXi/VDi ABS

INR 6.18 lakhs

INR 7.07 lakhs

VXi AMT

INR 6.77 lakhs

–

VXi AMT ABS

INR 6.97 lakhs

–

ZXi/ZDi

INR 6.93 lakhs

INR 7.91 lakhs

ZDi AMT

–

INR 8.40 lakhs

Honda Amaze

Petrol

Diesel

E

INR 5.30 lakhs

INR 6.42 lakhs

S

INR 5.95 lakhs

INR 7.30 lakhs

SX

INR 6.81 lakhs

INR 7.82 lakhs

S AT

INR 7.20 lakhs

–

VX

INR 7.20 lakhs

INR 8.20 lakhs

VX AT

INR 8.20 lakhs

–

Tata Zest

Petrol

Diesel

XE

INR 5.03 lakhs

INR 6.05 lakhs

XM

INR 5.69 lakhs

INR 6.79 lakhs

XMS

INR 5.89 lakhs

INR 7.00 lakhs

XMA (Auto)

–

INR 7.52 lakhs

XT

INR 6.47 lakhs

INR 7.55 lakhs

XTA (Auto)

INR 8.34 lacs

Hyundai Xcent

Petrol

Diesel

Base

INR 5.31 lakhs

INR 6.12 lakhs

S

INR 5.95 lakhs

INR 6.79 lakhs

SX

INR 6.34 lakhs

INR 7.18 lakhs

SX(O)

INR 7.02 lakhs

INR 7.86 lakhs

SX (O) AT

INR 7.77 lakhs

–

all prices ex-showroom, New Delhi

Although the automatic 1.5 L petrol variant of the Figo is more expensive than the rest of the petrol automatics and even the Zest diesel auto, bear in mind that it is a much more powerful 110.5 bhp 1.5 litre motor mated to a 6-speed dual clutch automatic. Honda has added a CVT petrol variant to the Amaze’s lineup.

[box type=”shadow” ]Ford Figo’s pricing is aggressive and manages to undercut all of its rival’s pricing making it very good value for money.[/box]

Verdict

Ford seems to have gotten most things right with the Figo Aspire, and the pricing also manages to undercut its chief rivals. It’s got the looks, features and being a Ford, driving dynamics are well sorted too. However, competition is very tough and getting ahead of the likes of the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze and Hyundai Xcent is not easy as was recently demonstrated by the Tata Zest. Despite being a better car in terms of design, features, space and pricing the Zest has not been able to overtake the three in terms of sales. Ford enjoys a much better brand image and the company has also committed itself to enhancing maintenance and after sales service. The Hyundai Xcent is a very capable product and scores well in terms of space, styling and interior fit and finish.

I agree with your point that Ford never take things light whenever it relates to market. Also, it makes sense that sub-4 market is a peculiar market. eg. Tata XEST is struggling to take a comfortable position, though it enjoys the lowest pricing in the segment.
I feel that the most important factor people are interested in Indian is the reliability combined with low running cost. When You are confident of this factor, people do not hesitate to go for it. Example: S DZire is still the market leader and will continue for few more months /years; thanks to the reliability & satisfaction of SWIFT which NO BODY ELSE COULD MATCH. This is the greatest advantage of DZire which they very well cashed. (Marketing Marvel) Also it is a e known fact established that Maruti is ‘low’ cost maintenance vehicle in spite of having little disadvantage in terms of Mileage, a real concern for DZire. BUT Other new models are obviously sophisticated, easy to drive and with lot of safety features. This should be clearly understood by SUZUKI so that on these fronts they will be in no time overtaken by competition in the (very) near future in India.
{I am a happy & proud owner of S DZire – but watching the happenings carefully}

Dear Sir,
iam just planning to buy New Ford Figo Aspire in this Diwali. Please suggest is it Good Car for my Family of overall Tech Specf.. Is it Good Engine for Compare other like Swift D, Xcent, Amaze, i10 Grand?

This is my First car in my Whole family. Please advise. My Budget is around 4.5 to 5.5.

It’s been one month I m driving my ford aspire… All I would say… It’s a monster inside… The performance is unbelievable and super and fantastic are understatement to describe this beast… Looks awesome.. I have taken the black one… Which some how looks bigger and aristocratic… May be due to the colour. The interiors are awesome… Someone was talking about the rear ac vent in xcent… Guys I throw a challenge the ac is so cool that u wont be able to keep it on with fan speed at 1.. And I stay in slurry and sweat patchy Kolkata… The driving comfort and suspension and driving performance is extremely refined… The suspension are that good that u wont recognise major pot holes far better than dizire… Whose interiors starts making disco dance sound once it old.. Trust me maruti r good service provider because their cars required a lot of service… After initial few month u will he’ll amount sounds inside the car from doors… The only downside I had found in this car is it takes a little tad more time to reach higher speed at lower rpm… But as it crosses the 2000 rpm mark.. The car becomes a monster… You will not realise suddenly your car will be cruising at 140km/hr.. Without any big fuss… And belive me this is mostly the top speed of most compact sedan cars… So guys if you r looking for a good compact car… And which both practical and stylish in nature… Lose your eyes and buy this car… U wont regret… And don’t worry about service.. Good cars don’t require much services.. Regards Sidhant ghosh